Elder Care Resources
If you are having an Elder Emergency: Please call 911 or go to your local Emergency Room.
Courtesy of Caring.com
Call (800) 558-0653 or visit www.caring.com
Call (800) 558-0653 or visit www.caring.com
elderly_resources.pdf |
Many people feel lonely or isolated as they get older. As people age, changing circumstances can make it harder to stay connected with others. Retirement may mean losing touch with your colleagues and work friends. Over the years, family members may pass away, move out of state or get too busy to visit as often as they’d like. You could also find yourself facing health challenges that make it harder to socialize, such as hearing problems or mobility loss.
Since chronic loneliness among seniors predates the coronavirus pandemic, public health measures and fears of contracting the virus have significantly worsened the situation. In June 2020, 56% of 50- to 80-year-olds reported feeling isolated from others, about twice as many who said the same in October 2018. Since ongoing loneliness can lead to serious health problems, this is a public health crisis in its own right.
This guide aims to help older adults who are experiencing loneliness and isolation. Keep reading to learn who’s at risk of loneliness and how it can affect your health. It also includes a list of resources that can help you feel more connected.
Nationwide
Call (800) 677-1116 or visit the Eldercare Locator to find your local AAA
AAAs are nonprofit agencies that serve seniors within their city, county or region. Contact your local AAA to learn about the services and supports available to lonely seniors in your area. These resources could include support groups, senior centers and transportation programs.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Nationwide
To find your local ADRC, visit the Eldercare Locator or call (800) 677-1116
ADRCs connect seniors with programs and services that support healthy aging. Seniors who are isolated due to physical or financial barriers can turn to their ADRC for help. Resources may include senior transportation services, assistive device programs and help with accessing government benefits.
AmeriCorps Seniors Program
Nationwide
Call (800) 942-2677
AmeriCorps Seniors is a national volunteer program for people 55 and older. Each year, more than 170,000 older adults find local volunteer roles through AmeriCorps Seniors. By volunteering, you can make friends your own age and stay connected to your community.
AARP Friendly Voice Program
Nationwide
Call (888) 281-0145
AARP’s Friendly Voice provides free phone check-ins to older adults. Seniors can sign up to receive regular calls from trained volunteers. A different volunteer calls each time, giving seniors the opportunity to talk to many new people.
Meals on Wheels America
Nationwide
Call (888) 998-6325 or contact your local program
Meals on Wheels provides home-delivered meals and friendly check-ins to homebound seniors. Each day, seniors can look forward to chatting with a caring meal delivery volunteer. Meals on Wheels also operates community dining programs where seniors can mingle and make friends.
Lifeline Program
Nationwide
Call (800) 234-9473
The Lifeline program helps low-income seniors pay for the telecommunications services they need to stay in touch with friends and family. Eligible seniors could receive a monthly discount on their phone or internet service.
Local Senior Centers
Nationwide
Contact your local center
America’s nearly 10,000 senior centers welcome over 1 million older adults daily. Seniors centers offer a variety of social activities to help older adults make friends. Programming varies from one center to another but could include bingo games, fitness classes, book clubs and other senior-friendly activities.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes
Nationwide
Call (415) 861-5587
Seniors with a love of learning can make friends with similar interests at Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes. OLLIs are hosted at 125 colleges and universities nationwide and funded by the nonprofit Bernard Osher Foundation. Seniors can participate in engaging classroom experiences or join classmates on field trips to local destinations.
Pets for the Elderly
35 states
Call (480) 625-4679
Pets for the Elderly helps lonely seniors adopt dogs and cats from animal shelters. The charity provides financial assistance with adoption fees, veterinary services, pet food, supplies and other costs of senior pet ownership.
Shepherd’s Centers of America
17 states
Call (816) 960-2022
This nonprofit organization helps older adults reduce isolation and loneliness. Its 55 affiliate centers offer engaging courses and workshops for lifelong learners. The centers also schedule fun group activities for older adults, including book clubs, day trips and holiday parties.
Since chronic loneliness among seniors predates the coronavirus pandemic, public health measures and fears of contracting the virus have significantly worsened the situation. In June 2020, 56% of 50- to 80-year-olds reported feeling isolated from others, about twice as many who said the same in October 2018. Since ongoing loneliness can lead to serious health problems, this is a public health crisis in its own right.
This guide aims to help older adults who are experiencing loneliness and isolation. Keep reading to learn who’s at risk of loneliness and how it can affect your health. It also includes a list of resources that can help you feel more connected.
Nationwide
Call (800) 677-1116 or visit the Eldercare Locator to find your local AAA
AAAs are nonprofit agencies that serve seniors within their city, county or region. Contact your local AAA to learn about the services and supports available to lonely seniors in your area. These resources could include support groups, senior centers and transportation programs.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Nationwide
To find your local ADRC, visit the Eldercare Locator or call (800) 677-1116
ADRCs connect seniors with programs and services that support healthy aging. Seniors who are isolated due to physical or financial barriers can turn to their ADRC for help. Resources may include senior transportation services, assistive device programs and help with accessing government benefits.
AmeriCorps Seniors Program
Nationwide
Call (800) 942-2677
AmeriCorps Seniors is a national volunteer program for people 55 and older. Each year, more than 170,000 older adults find local volunteer roles through AmeriCorps Seniors. By volunteering, you can make friends your own age and stay connected to your community.
AARP Friendly Voice Program
Nationwide
Call (888) 281-0145
AARP’s Friendly Voice provides free phone check-ins to older adults. Seniors can sign up to receive regular calls from trained volunteers. A different volunteer calls each time, giving seniors the opportunity to talk to many new people.
Meals on Wheels America
Nationwide
Call (888) 998-6325 or contact your local program
Meals on Wheels provides home-delivered meals and friendly check-ins to homebound seniors. Each day, seniors can look forward to chatting with a caring meal delivery volunteer. Meals on Wheels also operates community dining programs where seniors can mingle and make friends.
Lifeline Program
Nationwide
Call (800) 234-9473
The Lifeline program helps low-income seniors pay for the telecommunications services they need to stay in touch with friends and family. Eligible seniors could receive a monthly discount on their phone or internet service.
Local Senior Centers
Nationwide
Contact your local center
America’s nearly 10,000 senior centers welcome over 1 million older adults daily. Seniors centers offer a variety of social activities to help older adults make friends. Programming varies from one center to another but could include bingo games, fitness classes, book clubs and other senior-friendly activities.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes
Nationwide
Call (415) 861-5587
Seniors with a love of learning can make friends with similar interests at Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes. OLLIs are hosted at 125 colleges and universities nationwide and funded by the nonprofit Bernard Osher Foundation. Seniors can participate in engaging classroom experiences or join classmates on field trips to local destinations.
Pets for the Elderly
35 states
Call (480) 625-4679
Pets for the Elderly helps lonely seniors adopt dogs and cats from animal shelters. The charity provides financial assistance with adoption fees, veterinary services, pet food, supplies and other costs of senior pet ownership.
Shepherd’s Centers of America
17 states
Call (816) 960-2022
This nonprofit organization helps older adults reduce isolation and loneliness. Its 55 affiliate centers offer engaging courses and workshops for lifelong learners. The centers also schedule fun group activities for older adults, including book clubs, day trips and holiday parties.
Wellness in Mind Psychotherapy
Paola Scardino, LMHC, CRC
101 Arch Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Paola Scardino, LMHC, CRC
101 Arch Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 857-232-1311
Fax: 857-214-5502
Fax: 857-214-5502